Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)

Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)

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CSU's Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) aims to prepare graduates who have appropriate knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to work competently as a mental health worker within their own communities and mainstream mental health services.

Why study this course?

Originally designed in collaboration with a community-based Aboriginal Mental Health Steering Committee and the Greater Southern Area Health Service, this course was specifically designed for Indigenous mental health practitioners to meet the needs of the mental health workforce with a specific understanding of contemporary health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Today, this specialist course aims to prepare graduates to work within mental health services with all members of the community, with an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, their families and communities. It places mental health workers within a multi-disciplinary team working alongside other health professionals, Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

The Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) graduates have appropriate knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to work competently as a mental health worker within their own communities and mainstream mental health services. This specialist program aims to prepare graduates to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, their family and communities and other health professionals, Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Graduates have a sound understanding of primary health care, cultural safety, equity and socio-cultural aspects of care.

What will I learn?

An understanding of primary healthcare, cultural safety, equity and socio-cultural aspects of care will enhance the graduates' understanding and appreciation of the clients' and their family's experience of emotional and social trauma and mental health problems.

Students may elect to exit the course following the completion of the first year of study with the Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health), or the first two years of study with the Associate Degree in Health Science (Mental Health).

Career opportunities

Graduates have been successfully employed at various levels within mainstream and community-based mental health services.

Credit and pathways

Credit for prior learning and credit for current competencies will be granted to eligible applicants.

Charles Sturt University credit regulations will apply. Credits will be assessed and given for relevant prior learning in the field of mental health, mental health nursing, Indigenous health and Indigenous mental health.

Students who have already successfully completed the stand-alone Diploma of Health Science (Mental Health) or equivalent are awarded 128 points of credit.

Workplace learning

Immunisation

NSW Health is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all clients in health care settings and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff and other clinical personnel, including students undertaking workplace learning. This commitment includes adopting an assessment, screening and vaccination policy Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Infectious Diseases (PD2011_005) that minimises the risk of acquiring infectious diseases. Compliance with this policy is mandatory for all health facility staff, including students on clinical placement.

Students must comply with NSW Health immunisation and vaccination requirements and be verified prior to being allocated to a workplace learning facility. This applies to all students regardless of state or territory. All students must undergo vaccination against infectious diseases prior to being allocated to a facility within NSW or other states. Results of these vaccinations are kept on a personal record card (available from the School through which the student is studying). This card must be presented, upon request, by NSW Health, or other health facility staff, whilst the student is attending workplace learning.

The Policy requires that you consult your local doctor to obtain written proof of protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B.

NOTE: It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the requirements of this policy have been met, and failure to comply with the requirements may jeopardise completion of your studies.

As a full course of vaccinations may take several months to complete, you are advised to consult your local medical practitioner well in advance of the commencement of your studies.

PLEASE NOTE that, as many courses involve workplace learning in the first year of study, the hepatitis B immunisation should be commenced early to meet NSW Health requirements.

Working with Children Check

Students must have a Working with Children Check. To apply for this Working with Children Check, fill in an online application form. Once the form has been submitted, follow the instructions for collection.

Please note that the following subjects have a Workplace Learning component:

Students may be awarded a Associate Degree in Health Science (Mental Health) if they exit the course having successfully undertaken all subjects to this point in the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health)

Cost of study

In some instances a tax deduction may be claimed for self education expenses. Please seek independent qualified taxation advice.

Tuition costs

Australian and New Zealand Students

Commonwealth supported place

You will make a student contribution (formerly HECS) towards the cost of your tuition fees. Commonwealth supported places may be limited for this course.

Options:

Defer your payment using a HECS-HELP loan, which is repaid through the taxation system once your income reaches a certain threshold

Pay your student contribution fee up-front each session

6144*

Student contribution fee for your first year of study

* This is an estimated fee for your first year of study based on a full-time study load (eight 8 point subjects). Should you be studying less than eight subjects in your first year, the fees would be decreased proportionally. This figure excludes the Student Services and Amenities fee. If your entire course is less than the equivalent of one year of full-time study, then the figure displayed is calculated as a percentage of a full-time study load e.g. 50%.

International students

Thinking of deferring?

About the School

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health offers many exciting health degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, in the areas of nursing, midwifery, and mental health and chronic care nursing. With a commitment to Indigenous, regional and remote students, the School holds affiliation agreements with a number of other education providers, and has a strong link with the Greater Western Local Health District, as well as neighbouring Local Health Districts. Nursing education was first established in 1976 at the Riverina College of Advanced Education (Wagga Wagga) and now operates across five campuses – Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga. Since its inception, students of the School have featured regularly as University Medalists, as a result of their meritorious academic performance.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

APPLICATION CLOSING DATES

Please note that not all courses have an intake each session and some courses may have earlier closing dates. Check the course details and admission information for your course.

PREPARING FOR STUDY?

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